Rotary internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

A rotary, positive displacement engine comprises a housing having an open chamber formed therein. There are provided in the housing in communication with the open chamber thereof intake means for injecting fuel therethrough into the open chamber, and exhaust means for exhausting therethrough combustion products from the open chamber. Valve means are movably mounted in the housing in juxtaposed relation to the open chamber. The valve means are operable to intermittently move into the open chamber and divide the latter into a plurality of closed sections. A shaft is supported in the housing for rotation therein substantially at right angles to the open chamber. The shaft has a disc provided thereon for rotation therewith. A plurality of pistons are provided on the disc in spaced relation relative to each other. The pistons extend into the open chamber and rotate therethrough as the disc is caused to rotate. The shaft is rotatably driven by the pressure of the gases in the plurality of closed sections, generated by the ignition of the fuel injected through the intake means into the open chamber, acting upon the plurality of pistons.

United States Patent Humiston et al. 1 Aug. 5, 1975 [5 ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION 2.944.533 7/1960 Park .1 12318.49 3.116.599 1/1964 Campbell (JO/39.82 H

[75] Inventors: Gerald Francis Humiston, South Barre; Barton Lester Cotton, Barre, both of Vt.

[73] Assignee: Pollution Control, Inc., South Barre,

[221 Filed: July 8, l974 [21] Appl. No.: 486,593

Related [1.8. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 313,268, Dec. 8. 1972.

abandoned [52] US. Cl. l23/8.49; 60/3982 H; 418/228;

[51] Int. Cl. F02b 53/00; FOlc 1/00 [58] Field of Search 418/228, 243-247;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 833,292 10/1906 Blackmun 418/228 879.707 2/1908 Weatherford 418/228 1,584,605 5/1926 Britton 1, 123/849 l 660,5l9 2/1928 Newell.. 418/244 2.674.234 4/1954 Riggle. 418/245 2,706,887 4/1955 Grow 60/3982 H ENGINE Primary Examiner-John J, Vrablik [57] ABSTRACT A rotary, positive displacement engine comprises a housing having an open chamber formed therein. There are provided in the housing in communication with the open chamber thereof intake means for injecting fuel therethrough into the open chamber, and exhaust means for exhausting therethrough combustion products from the open chamber. Valve means are movably mounted in the housing in juxtaposed relation to the open chamber. The valve means are operable to intermittently move into the open chamber and divide the latter into a plurality of closed sections. A shaft is supported in the housing for rotation therein substantially at right angles to the open chamber. The shaft has a disc provided thereon for rotation therewith. A plurality of pistons are provided on the disc in spaced relation relative to each other. The pistons extend into the open chamber and rotate therethrough as the disc is caused to rotate. The shaft is rotatably driven by the pressure of the gases in the plurality of closed sections, generated by the ignition of the fuel injected through the intake means into the open chamber, acting upon the plurality of pistons.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUG 5 W;

QHLL. 1

ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of our copending patent application, Ser. No. 313,268, filed Dec. 8, I972, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ln recent years there has been a great deal of effort expended on developing various forms of rotary engines. Much of the work which has been done heretodate has been directed primarily towards perfecting a rotary engine which could serve as a replacement for the conventional internal combustion engine. It has long been recognized that the overall operating efficiency of the internal combustion engine is relatively low. This is basically the reason why the internal combustion engine is such a notorious source of air pollution. However, it was not until relatively recently that serious concern began to be expressed regarding the deleterious impact that pollution from internal combustion engines was having on the environment. In response thereto, steps have been taken towards the pursuit of two fundamental approaches which it is hoped would have the effect of minimizing the damage pres ently being done to the environment. One of these approaches involves the development of some means capable of being cooperatively associated with the present internal combustion engine to eliminate from the exhaust thereof those components which have a harmful effect on the environment. The second approach has been directed towards developing a substantially pollution-free engine which could replace the internal combustion engine as the prime mover in a vehicle. The rotary engine is looked upon by many as one such possible replacement for the internal combustion engine.

Another characteristic of the internal combustion engine is that it is relatively complex, i.e., includes a relatively large number of moving parts. Since it is well known that the frequency ofmalfunction in a manufactured product varies essentially in direct proportion to the number of moving parts embodied therein, it is readily apparent that the number of hours of troublefree operation capable of being provided by an internal combustion engine will commonly be less than that capable of being provided by another form of prime mover which embodies fewer moving parts. In this regard, the rotary engine which possesses a minimum number of moving parts compares very favorably to the internal combustion engine.

Most of the rotary engines which have been known heretofore in the prior art are of the type which include a triangularly shaped member which is mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith within a cavity. The engagement of the lobe portions of the member with the sidewalls of the cavity are employed for purposes of forming the chambers in which combustion occurs. However. when placed in operation, the performance of this prior art form of rotary engine has not proven to be entirely satisfactory.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved rotary positive dis placement engine which utilizes approximate 90 percent of piston travel on power strokes thereby increas' ing the effective displacement for a given piston size and travel.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a rotary positive displacement engine which can be enlarged to provide a greater number of pistons or discs on a single engine shaft.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a rotary positive displacement engine which embodies a substantially smaller number of moving parts than commonly found in a positive displacement engine.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a rotary positive displacement engine which has improved mechanical efficiency due to the reduced number of moving parts and friction surfaces embodied therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects can be readily attained by means of a rotary positive displacement engine comprising a housing having an open chamber therein, intake means provided in the housing communicating with the open chamber for injecting fuel therethrough, and exhaust means provided in the housing also in communication with the open chamber for exhausting combustion products therefrom. Valve means are movably mounted in the housing in juxtaposed relation to the open chamber. The valve means are operable to intermittently move into the open chamber and divide the latter into a plurality of closed sections. There is further provided in the housing a shaft which is suitably supported for rotation therein. A disc is provided on the shaft for rotation therewith. A plurality of pistons are arranged in spaced relation on the shaft such as to extend into the open chamber and to move therethrough as the shaft and thereby the disc rotate. The shaft is rotatably driven by the pressure of the gases in the closed sections acting upon the plurality of pistons. The gases are generated by the ignition of the fuel injected into the open chamber through the intake means.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the open chamber formed in the housing of the rotary piston displacement engine is divisible into three closed sections. For this purpose, the valve means comprises three sliding valves arranged in equally spaced relation around the circumference of the open chamber, and means for sequentially causing each of the sliding valves to move into the open chamber to define a closed section therein formed between each two of the sliding valves. The intake means comprises three intake ports formed in the housing and extending into the open chamber. There is one intake port located in juxtaposed relation to one side of each of the three valves. Similarly, the exhaust means comprises three exhaust ports formed in the housing and extending into the open chamber. There is one exhaust port located in juxtaposed relation to the other side of each of the valves. Mounted in equally spaced relation around the circumference of the disc are three pistons. As the shaft and disc are rotated, each valve is caused to open momentarily to permit a piston to pass the valve location in the housing. After the valve recloses, a small combustion chamber is formed between the valve and a piston. Fuel is injected into the combustion chamber through the intake port associated with the particular valve and is ignited therein. The pressure in the chamber caused by combustion drives the piston forward. While the piston is being driven forward, the face of the piston is exhausting the combustion products, i.e., exhaust gases from the previous cycle through the aforedescribed exhaust port located on the exhaust side of the valve. Each of the three pistons undergoes this sequence simultaneously thereby to cause the shaft to be rotatably driven.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view with parts broken away for clarity of illustration of a rotary positive displacement engine constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a piston and a portion of the open chamber through which the piston moves, of the rotary piston displacement engine of FIG. I in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the cam which causes the sequential opening and closing of the valves of the rotary piston displacement engine of FIG. I in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic timing diagram for the rotary piston displacement engine of FIG. 1, illustrating the valves in the open condition;

FIG. 5 is a schematic timing diagram for the rotary piston displacement engine of FIG. 1, illustrating the valves in the closed condition, and fuel being injected into the open chamber;

FIG. 6 is a schematic timing diagram for the rotary piston displacement engine of FIG. 1, illustrating the combustion cycle therefor; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic timing diagram for the rotary piston displacement engine of FIG. 1, illustrating the exhaust cycle therefor, and the valves beginning to open to permit the pistons to pass.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated therein a rotary positive displacement engine, generally designated by reference numeral 10. The engine 10 includes a housing 12 having a generally annular external configuration. The housing 12, in accord with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, is preferably constructed in the form of a two-part structure consisting of an outer casing 14 and an inner casing 16. The outer and inner casings l4 and 16, respectively, are fastened together by any suitable means such as by means of a plurality of threaded fasteners 18 which are received in threaded openings (not shown) provided for this purpose in each of the casings l4 and 16. With the outer and inner casings l4 and 16, respectively, fastened together in the aforedescribed manner, a chamber 20 is formed therebetween. The chamber 20, as will be described more fully subsequently, is in tended to function as a cooling jacket wherein coolant may be circulated for purposes of cooling the engine 10.

As seen with reference to FIG. 1, a shaft, generally designated by reference numeral 22, is supported in housing 12 for rotation therein. More specifically, the shaft 22 is mounted in bearings 24 and 26. Bearing 24 is retained in a seat 28 formed in the housing 12 for this purpose. In similar fashion, the housing 12 is also provided with another seat 30 in which the bearing 26 is held captive.

Preferably each of the respective ends 22a and 22b of the shaft 22 are threaded. The left end 22a of the shaft 22, as viewed with reference to FIG. 1, has a conventional pulley wheel 32 secured thereon. The pulley wheel 32, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. is provided for the purpose of driving by means of belt 34 the accesories such as the water pump, etc., (not shown) which are commonly provided in a motor vehicle. In addition, the belt 34 preferably also serves to interconnect the pulley 32 and thereby the shaft 22 with a conventional electrical starting means (not shown) of the type which is normally provided in a motor vehicle for use in initially starting the engine thereof.

The other end, i.e., the right end 22b of shaft 22. as viewed with reference to FIG. I of the drawings, constitutes the output end thereof. As illustrated in FIG. I, the output end 2217 of shaft 22 is preferably threaded so as to be capable of having adapted thereto whatever form of means (now shown) it may be desired to drive from the output of engine 10. In accord with one con templated application for the engine 10, the output end 22b of shaft 22 is adapted to be coupled to one end of a conventional automotive transmission (not shown), the other end thereof being connected in known fashion to the wheels of a motor vehicle whereby the output from shaft 22 is capable of being employed to drive the wheels of the motor vehicle and thereby serve as the power source of the motor vehicle.

The shaft 22 is provided intermediate its ends with an annular ring 36, which in accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, is formed as an in tegral part of the shaft 22. Supported on shaft 22 so as to be in abutting engagement with the annular ring 36 is a disc 38. In accord with the illustrated form thereof depicted in FIG. 1, the disc 38 comprises a member which is formed separately from the shaft 22. The disc 38 has a central opening 40 formed therein through which the output end 22b of shaft 22 is capable of being inserted to bring the disc 38 into abutting engagement with the ring 36, i.e., the assembled position of disc 38 on shaft 22 shown in FIG. I. The diameter of the opening 40 in disc 38 corresponds to the diameter of the section 22c of shaft 22, which lies adjacent to the ring 36, so that preferably a frictional fit exists thereby. In addition however, the disc 38 is preferably also fastened to the ring 36 through the use of a plurality of fasteners 42 (only one of which can be seen in FIG. 1) so that the disc 38 will rotate with the shaft 22 as an integral unit therewith. The fasteners 42 are received in openings 36a and 38a suitably provided for this purpose in the ring 36 and disc 38, respectively. In this connection, at least the openings 36a in ring 36 are provided with threads in order that the fasteners 42 may be threadedly engaged therein.

The disc 38 is provided with a plurality of pistons 44 arranged in equally spaced relation thereon. In accord with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pistons 44 are spaced approximately apart around the circumference of the disc 38. As shown in FIG. 1, the pistons 44 are formed as an integral part of the disc 38. However, if so desired, the pistons 44 could also be formed as separate members which are suitably affixed to disc 38, without departing from the essence of the invention. The pistons 44 project radially outwardly from the disc 38, and with the disc 38 in the assembled condition on shaft 22 as shown in FIG. I, the pistons 44 are of sufficient length that they extend into the annular, i.e.. open chamber 46.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the aforementioned annular chamber 46 is formed in inner casing I6. As depicted therein, the easing I6 is of two-part construction, i.e.. consists of two half sections 48 and 50, which are suitably fastened together by threaded fasteners 52. The latter fasteners 52 are threadedly engaged in threaded openings (not shown) provided for this purpose in the flanged portions 48a and 50a of casing sections 48 and S0, respectively.

In a manner to be more fully described subsequently, the pistons 44 move through the annular chamber 46 as the shaft 22, which is supported in housing 12 so as to be positioned substantially axially of chamber 46, is caused to rotate thereby in turn causing disc 38 which is mounted thereto and which carries the pistons 44 thereon to also rotate. As has yet to be described in detail herein, the shaft 22 is rotatably driven by the pressure of the gases in chamber 46, caused by combustion of fuel injected therein, acting upon pistons 44. Thus, it is necessary, in order to ensure that the desired pressure exists in chamber 46, that a tight seal be provided between the pistons 44 and the sidewalls of the chamber 46. In accord with the illustrated embodiment of engine 10, this is accomplished through the use of a labyrinth seal 54 and by providing each of the pistons 44 with a plurality of piston rings 56.

As most clearly understood with reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the casing 16 is provided with a circu lar passage 160 formed therein so as to be coextensive with the annular chamber 46. The circumferential outer portion 38b of disc 38, to which the pistons 44 are attached, is intended to move in the circular passage 16a as the pistons 44 move through chamber 46. The function of labyrinth seal 54 is to provide a seal between the sidewalls of passage 16a and portion 38b of disc 38, while yet still enabling the pistons 44 carried by the disc 38 to move freely within chamber 46. Labyrinth seal 54 includes a pair of annular grooves 48b and 501: formed adjacent to the inner end of chamber 46, in each of casing sections 48 and 50, respectively. In addition, portion 38b of disc 38 is provided on each side thereof with a pair of outwardly extending annular projections 58. The spacing between the projections 58 as well as the overall dimensions thereof are such that the projections 58 are capable of being received within the grooves 48b and 50b and of moving therein without difficulty, while yet precluding the gases in chamber 46 from escaping around portion 38b of disc 38 and through the passage 16a into the interior of housing 12.

The function of the piston rings 56 on the other hand, is to provide a seal between the circumference of the piston 44 and the sidewalls of chamber 46 while yet not significantly impeding the movement of the pistons 44 in chamber 46, which otherwise might result in a drag being imposed on the rotation of the shaft 22. To accomplish the aforedescribed function, piston rings 56 may be of the same type which are commonly found employed in connection with the pistons of a conventional internal combustion engine commonly utilized to drive a motor vehicle.

Referring again to FIG. I of the drawings, there is illustrated therein a valve means 60 which is movably mounted in housing 12 adjacent to the chamber 46. Although only one valve means 60 is visible in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 47 of the drawings. in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, engine 10 is provided with three such valve means 60 arranged within the housing 12 such as to be spaced approximately apart around the circumference of chamber 46. Each of the three valve means 60 is identical in structure as well as function, and accordingly the description of only one such valve means 60 will be set forth hereinbelow.

As best understood with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings. the valve means 60 comprises a relatively thin planar valve member 62 and means 64 operable to cause the valve member 62 to move into and out of the chamber 46.

More specifically, the means 64 causes the valve member 62 to move between the solid line position thereof as illustrated in FIG. I, and the dotted line position thereof also to be found depicted in FIG. I. In order to permit the aforedescribed movement of valve member 62 into chamber 46, inner casing 16 is provided with a relatively thin slot 66 through which the valve member 62 slides. Moreover, the housing I2 is also provided with a bulge 68 in which the valve member 62 is housed when not positioned in the chamber 46, i.e., when valve member 62 is in the dotted line position depicted in FIG. 1.

As best understood with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, valve member 62 in moving into and out of chamber 46 swings about pivot pin 70. That is, valve member 62 as shown in FIG. 1 has one end thereof fixedly attached to support 72 by means of pivot pin 70, such that valve member 62 is capable of swinging between the dotted line position thereof and the solid line position thereof illustrated in FIG. 1. As will be described more fully hereinafter in connection with the description of the mode of operation of engine I0, valve member 62 is required to move into and out of chamber 46 in accordance with a predetermined time sequence. To accomplish this, means 64 preferably includes a yoke 74 to one end of which valve member 62 is attached by means of pivot pin 76. The yoke 74 is supported for vertical movement, as viewed with reference to FIG. I, between a pair of guiding and aligning surfaces 78 and 80. Thus, it can be readily understood with reference to FIG. I that as yoke 74 is caused to move upwardly, in a manner yet to be described, an upward force is imparted thereby through pivot pin 76 to valve member 62 causing the latter to swing counterclockwise, i.e., in an upwardly direction as viewed with reference to FIG. 1. Similarly, when yoke 74 is caused to move downwardly between surfaces 78 and 80, a downward pulling force is imparted through pivot pin 76 to valve member 62 causing the latter to swing in a clockwise, i.e., downward direction as viewed with reference to FIG. 1, about fixed pivot pin 70.

In accord with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the aforedescribed describbed vertical movement of yoke 74 is preferably accomplished by means of a camming action. For this purpose, yoke 74 as shown in FIG. I is provided with a pin 82 which is suitably supported therein such that the pin 82 will cause the yoke 74 to reflect whatever movement the pin 82 is caused to undergo. In turn, movement of the pin 82 occurs as a result of the pin 82 being made to move in cam track 84. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, the pin 82 is positioned in cam track 84, the latter being defined by the inner cam surface 86 and the outer cam surface 88 which are formed in the cam 90. Cam 90 is suitably mounted on shaft 22 such that as shaft 22 rotates. the cam 90 rotates therewith. As a result, the pin 82 is made to move in the path defined by the cam track 84. Further, the configuration of cam track 84 is such that as the pin 82 is caused to move therein the yoke 74 is also made to move up and down vertically thereby to produce the intermittent movement of the valve member 62 into and out of the chamber 46 in the properly timed sequence.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. the shaft 22 is also provided with another pair of earns 92 and 94, which are each suitably mounted on the shaft 22 such that they rotate therewith. In this regard, the earns 92 and 94, without departing from the essence of the invention. may either be formed as an integral part of the shaft 22 or else they may be constructed in the form of separate members which are suitably affixed through the use of conventional fastening means to the shaft 22 in order to be capable of functioning in the aforementioned manner. The cam 92 is provided for the purpose of causing the periodic actuation of rod 96 which is connected to suitable injection means (not shown) whereby to cause the injection of fuel into chamber 46, in a manner yet to be described. The cam 94 actuates the rod 98 which, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, is drivingly connected to an oil pump (not shown) which is operable in the manner well-known to those skilled in the art to cause the circulation of oil through the housing 12 of engine 10. In this connection, the housing 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an oil sump 100.

For purposes of cooling the engine 10, the latter is provided with the previously described chamber 20 through which a suitable coolant such as water is capable of being circulated. In accord with the illustrated embodiment of engine 10, such coolant is supplied to chamber 20 through conduit 102 which is connected through suitable means to any suitable source of coolant such as, for example, a conventional radiator of the type commonly found associated with the internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7 of the drawings, the mode of operation of engine 10 will now be described. As schematically illustrated therein, the engine 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment thereof is provided with a disc 38 to which three pistons 44 are attached to rotate therewith. The disc 38 in turn is mounted on shaft 22 such as to be rotatable therewith. In addition. the engine 10 is provided with three valve means 60, each of which includes a valve member 62 and means 64 for intermittently moving the associated valve member 62 into and out of the annular chamber 46. Although not shown in FIGS. 4-7 of the drawings, it is of course to be understood that three relatively thin slots 66 are formed in the casing 16 for the purpose of enabling the three valve members 62 to enter the chamber 46. For purposes of balance, the three pistons 44 are preferably supported on disc 38 such as to be spaced thereon approximately l20 apart. The three valve members 62 are mounted similarly around the circumference of casing 16 such as to be positioned approximately l20 apart. Further, as shown in FIGS. 47, suitable injection means 104 are mounted adjacent to chamber 46. Three such injection means 104 are provided such that there is one injection means 104 positioned on the upstream side of each valve member 62. Each of the three injection means 104 operates to inject a fuel mixture into chamber 46 through an intake port (not shown) associated therewith provided for this purpose in the sidewall of chamber 46. In addition. there is provided a suitable exhaust port 106 on the downstream side of each of the valve members 62. The exhaust ports 106 are suitably formed in the sidewall of chamber 46 such as to permit the exhaust therethrough of the combustion products produced in the chamber 46.

Initially to start engine 10, rotation is imparted to the shaft 22 and thereby the disc 38 by means of the electrical starting means (not shown) referred to previously hereinabove. which is connected through belt 34 to pulley wheel 32. As the shaft 22 and disc 38 are rotated, yokes 74 of means 64 of valve means 60 cause the respective valve member 62 associated therewith to move to the open position thereof, i.e., to move out of chamber 46 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 to permit the pistons 44 to pass thereby. After the pistons 44 have passed by the location of the valve members 62, the latter reclose. i.e., move back into the chamber 46 to form a small combustion chamber be ween each of the valve members 62 and a piston 44 schematically depicted in FIG. 5 of the drawings. A fuel is then injected into each of the aforedescribed combustion chambers. The fuel may be in the form ofa pressurized fuel mixture which is injected into the combustion chambers and then ignited therein, or the fuel may be a monopropellant fuel. In the latter case. as depicted in FIGS. 4-7 and most particularly FIG. 5, the fuel and a catalyst are injected by means of the injection means 104 simultaneously into the combustion chambers wherein a reaction between the fuel and the catalyst takes place causing a decomposition of the fuel. The pressure build up in the combustion chambers caused by combustion of the fuel mixture or the catalytic decomposition of the fuel drives the pistons 44 forward as schematically shown in FIG. 6. While the pistons 44 are being driven forward. the faces of the pistons 44 are exhausting the exhaust gases from the previous cycle through exhaust ports 106 from which the gases are exhausted through suitable means (not shown) from engine 10. Finally. as the pistons 44 approach the valve members 62, the latter are once again caused to begin moving out ofchamber 46 as shown in FIG. 7 to enable the pistons 44 to pass thereby and thus to permit another cycle to commence.

Fuel injection, ignition where required, and catalyst injection are all intended to be accomplished by means of conventional equipment of the type which is commonly found employed in the automotive field for this purpose and which as was set forth previously hereinabove is driven from the shaft 22 in a manner which is well known to thosc skilled in this art. Further, it is to be understood that in multi-piston operation as shown and described in the embodiment of the invention depicted in the drawings, pressure is caused to be applied simultaneously to each of the pistons 44 whereby the shaft 22 is driven by the combined force generated by all three pistons 44 acting in concert relative thereto.

Although only one embodiment of a rotary positive displacement engine constructed in accordance with the present invention has been described herein and illustrated in the drawings, it is to be understood that many modifications, 21 number of which have been alluded to herein-above, may be made therein without departing from the essence of the invention. Thus for example, in accord with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a single disc 38 has been illustrated as mounted on shaft 22. However, it is to be understood that for employment in some other applications it may be desirable to mount a plurality of discs similar to disc 38 on the shaft 22. Similarly, the disc 38 has been depicted as being provided with three equally spaced pistons 44. More or fewer pistons 44 could of course also be provided on disc 38 if so desired. In this connection however, it is desirable that some consideration be given to the matter of balance. Thus, if only one piston 44 were mounted on disc 38, an unbalanced condition would exist. In somewhat similar fashion, if only two pistons 44 are supported on disc 38 so as to be positioned 180 apart thereon, the shaft 22 is still unbalanced to a certain extent. That is, the shaft 22 when it stops rotating because of the influence of gravity will always tend to gravitate to a position wherein the pistons 44 are positioned so as to bear a particular relationship to the valve members 62.

As noted in the previous description, disc 38 as well as cams 90, 92 and 94 can either be made integral with shaft 22 or be made as separate members which are suitably affixed thereto, without departing from the essence of the invention. Also, the housing 12 can be formed as an integral member rather than being of twopart construction as illustrated, without departing from the essence of the invention. Finally, the engine is adapted for use in many other applications wherein the requirement for pulley wheel 32 as well as many of the other accessories described hereinabove as being associated with engine 10 may be unnecessary. Thus, such components could be eliminated without departing from the essence of the invention. Only one form of injection means has been shown but it is to be understood that any other suitable form thereof which is commonly utilized in the automotive field could be substituted therefor for purposes of injecting different types of fuel into the chamber 46 without departing from the essence of the invention. Similarly, although a particular form of valve means has been described hereinabove as being employed in engine 10 to cause a valve member to move into and out of chamber 46, it is contemplated that other forms of valve means capable of functioning so as to provide a valve member with the aforedescribed motion could also be utilized without departing from the essence of the invention.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel and improved rotary positive displacement engine which utilizes approximately 90 percent of piston travel on power strokes thereby increasing the effective displacement for a given piston size and travel. The rotary positive displacement engine of the present invention operates on a single cycle principle increasing engine torque for a given piston size and travel. In accord with the present invention, a rotary positive displacement engine has been provided which can be enlarged to provide a greater number of pistons or discs on a single engine shaft. Moreover, there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a rotary positive displacement engine which embodies a substantially smaller number of moving parts than commonly found in a positive displacement engine. Finally, a rotary positive displacement engine has been provided in accord with the present invention which has improved mechanical efficiency due to the reduced number of moving parts and friction surfaces embodied therein.

Having thus described the invention we claim:

I. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising:

a. a housing including a casing comprising a pair of spaced side walls joined at the outer ends thereof and each having an inwardly extending portion formed thereon in opposed relation to each other outwardly of the center thereof operable to define a first chamber in said housing at the center thereof and an annular combustion chamber spaced radially from said first chamber formed by said inwardly extending portions and said outer ends of said pair of side walls;

b. a shaft supported in said first chamber of said housing for rotation therein substantially axially of said annular chamber;

0. a disc including a solid body portion having a bore formed at the center thereof, said shaft being received in said bore for mounting said disc thereon for rotation therewith and with said solid body portion rotating within said first chamber of said housd. three pistons formed integrally with said solid body portion of said disc in spaced relation apart on the periphery thereofand so as to project radially outwardly thereof, said three pistons extending into said annular combustion chamber for movement therethrough as said disc rotates;

e. valve means including three valve members and means supporting said three members in equally spaced relation relative to each other in said housing axially of said annular combustion chamber for movement into said annular combustion chamber to intermittently divide said annular combustion chamber into a plurality of closed sections of equal size and out of said annular combustion chamber to enable said three pistons to move through said annular combustion chamber, said means supporting said three valve members for movement into and out of said annular combustion chamber com prising three support assemblies, each of said three support assemblies comprising a support formed in said housing in juxtaposed relation to said annular combustion chamber, a first pivot pin operatively connecting a corresponding one of said three valve members to said support for movement relative thereto, a guide means provided in said housing in juxtaposed relation to said first chamber, a yoke supported in said guide means for movement relative thereto, a second pivot pin operatively connecting said corresponding one of said three valve members to one end of said yoke to cause said corresponding one of said three valve members to pivot about said first pivot pin between a first position wherein said corresponding one of said three valve members is inserted into said annular combustion chamber to divide said annular combustion chamber into a plurality of closed sections and a second position wherein said corresponding one of said three valve members is removed from said annular combustion chamber to permit said three pistons to pass thereby, and camming means including a pin supported on said yoke at the other end thereof and a cam supported on said shaft for rotation therewith, said cam including a pair of cam tracks operable for receiving said pin therebetween, said pair of cam tracks and said pin being cooperable together to cause said yoke to move within said guide means and thereby said corresponding one of said three valve members to move between said first and second positions thereof in accord with a predetermined time cycle as said shaft rotates;

. intake means formed in said housing independent of said valve means and in communication with said annular combustion chamber for injecting fuel into said annular combustion chamber for combustion therewithin, said intake means including three injection means spaced 120 apart around said annular combustion chamber, one of said three injection means being located on the upstream side of each of said three valve members;

. exhaust means formed in said housing independent of said valve means and communicating with said annular combustion chamber for exhausting therefrom the waste products produced during combustion of the fuel within said annular combustion chamber. said exhaust means including three exhaust ports formed in said annular combustion chamber apart, one of said three exhaust ports being formed in said annular combustion chamber on the downstream side of each of said three valve members; and

h. said shaft being rotatably driven by the pressure of the gases in said plurality of closed sections acting upon said three pistons, the gases being generated from the combustion of the fuel in said annular combustion chamber. 

1. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising: a. a housing including a casing comprising a pair of spaced side walls joined at the outer ends thereof and each having an inwardly extending portion formed thereon in opposed relation to each other outwardly of the center thereof operable to define a first chamber in said housing at the center thereof and an annular combustion chamber spaced radially from said first chamber formed by said inwardly extending portions and said outer ends of said pair of side walls; b. a shaft supported in said first chamber of said housing for rotation therein substantially axially of said annular chamber; c. a disc including a solid body portion having a bore formed at the center thereof, said shaft being received in said bore for mounting said disc thereon for rotation therewith and with said solid body portion rotating within said first chamber of said housing; d. three pistons formed integrally with said solid body portion of said disc in spaced relation 120* apart on the periphery thereof and so as to project radially outwardly thereof, said three pistons extending into said annular combustion chamber for movement therethrough as said disc rotates; e. valve means including three valve members and means supporting said three members in equally spaced relation relative to each other in said housing axially of said annular combustion chamber for movement into said annular combustion chamber to intermittently divide said annular combustion chamber into a plurality of closed sections of equal size and out of said annular combustion chamber to enable said three pistons to move through said annular combustion chamber, said means supporting said three valve members for movement into and out of said annular combustion chamber comprising three support assemblies, each of said three support assemblies comprising a support formed in said housing in juxtaposed relation to said annular combustion chamber, a first pivot pin operatively connecting a corresponding one of said three valve members to said support for movement relative thereto, a guide means provided in said housing in juxtaposed relation to said first chamber, a yoke supported in said guide means for movement relative thereto, a second pivot pin operatively connecting said corresponding one of said three valve members to one end of said yoke to cause said corresponding one of said three valve members to pivot about said first pivot pin between a first position wherein said corresponding one of said three valve members is inserted into said annular combustion chamber to divide said annular combustion chamber into a plurality of closed sections and a second position wherein said corresponding one of said three valve members is removed from said annular combustion chamber to permit said three pistons to pass thereby, and camming means including a pin supported on said yoke at the other end thereof and a cam supported on said shaft for rotation therewith, said cam including a pair of cam tracks operable for receiving said pin therebetween, said pair of cam tracks and said pin being cooperable together to cause said yoke to move within said guide means and thereby said corresponding one of said three valve members to move between said first and second positions thereof in accord with a predetermined time cycle as said shaft rotates; f. intake means formed in said housing independent of said valve means and in communication with said annular combustion chamber for injecting fuel into said annular combustion chamber for combustion therewithin, said intake means including three injection means spaced 120* apart around said annular combustion chamber, one of said three injection means being located on the upstream side of each of said three valve members; g. exhaust means formed in said housing independent of said valve means and communicating with said annular combustion chamber for exhausting therefrom the waste products produced during combustion of the fuel within said annular combustion chamber, said exhaust means including three exhaust ports formed in said annular combustion chamber 120* apart, one of said three exhaust ports being formed in said annular combustion chamber on the downstream side of each of said three valve members; and h. said shaft being rotatably driven by the pressure of the gases in said plurality of closed sections acting upon said three pistons, the gases being generated from the combustion of the fuel in said annular combustion chamber.
 2. The rotary internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing is of two-part construction consisting of an inner casing and an outer casing, and said annular combustion chamber is formed in said inner casing.
 3. The rotary internal combustion engine as set forth in claim 1 wherein accessory drive means are mounted on said shaft at one end thereof. 